COSAM News Articles 2024 05 Auburn researchers seek to improve water quality using a holistic approach with $300K award

Auburn researchers seek to improve water quality using a holistic approach with $300K award

Published: 05/14/2024

Assistant Professor in the Department of Geosciences Stephanie Rogers is leading a project entitled Inequities in pollution exposure: Examining the relationship between onsite wastewater system prevalence and water contamination, which takes a holistic approach in understanding the human and environmental risks associated with aging, unmaintained, and/or unregulated onsite wastewater treatment systems (OWTS), or septic systems, in coastal areas of Mississippi (MS) and Alabama (AL). The $305,944 award has been funded by the Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium (MASGC) and includes contributions from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and appropriations from the state of Alabama.

Three other researchers from the Department of Geosciences at Auburn University will be collaborating on this project with Rogers: Assistant Professors Jake Nelson and Ann Ojeda, as well as Assistant Research Professor, Natalia Malina. Rogers and Nelson will tackle the spatial modeling, vulnerability, and human-environmental interaction components of the study while Ojeda and Malina will focus on model validation through field data collection and the development of new sampling and laboratory analysis strategies for understanding the complex interface between contaminants in surface and groundwater.

“We are dealing with a complex problem, and we need to tackle it using a holistic approach,” explained Rogers. “The dynamic nature of water makes it difficult to study. Contaminants from the land drain into a nearby waterbodies, which eventually end up in the Gulf of Mexico.” Rogers said.

Failing or overwhelmed septic systems may impact the environment by releasing excess contaminants or nutrients into surrounding surface waterbodies or groundwater reservoirs, which may lead to diminished water quality affecting both human health and aquatic ecosystems. The full implications of failing septic systems in coastal areas of MS and AL are still unknown, partially due to the fact that they are unregulated, and have not been mapped in a systematic way.

Thus, the team will begin this project by building a database of septic system locations that will provide a foundation for the research. Then, they will use different geospatial modeling strategies to understand where pollution from septic systems is most likely to occur, and who are the most vulnerable populations. Their models will be tested and validated through in situ sampling and laboratory analyses.

While septic systems are often associated with rural areas, this is not just a rural issue. People who are not on septic systems are still impacted by this issue even if they do not realize it, due to the dynamic and flowing nature of water. The topic has far-reaching implications with the overarching goal of protecting water quality and the communities and ecosystems that rely on it.

“Through this research, we are seeking to protect water at the regional scale, with hopes that we can use our models for other locations in the country,” Rogers said.

The project has an advisory committee made up of members of local government agencies, Extension agents, and stakeholders. This committee will facilitate knowledge transfer to local communities to educate the public about the importance of maintaining septic systems to protect water resources, human health, and delicate ecosystems.

“I am enthusiastic about the potential of this project; we will conduct cutting-edge research and share results through a unique pipeline to get critical information to coastal communities through our advisory committee. We hope to make long-term improvements in water quality by informing local and state policymakers and create a path to improve water quality for all,” said Rogers.